Home Is Where the Heart Is — A Family-Filled Design Journey with Roma
Hi Roomies!
Today’s blog isn’t just about home design. It’s about the heart behind the home — the memories, the roots, and the people who helped shape the designer I’ve become. Yep, we’re going deep (and maybe a little weepy).
On this very special episode of Rooms by Roma, I opened the doors of my personally designed space to two very important people: my mom and my big brother — and let me tell you, it was emotional, hilarious, nostalgic, and so full of love that I had to share every moment with you.
This wasn’t just a family visit — it was a full-circle moment. For the first time ever, they got to step inside a space I poured my heart, soul, and design brain into. The feedback? Priceless. The vibes? Immaculate. The tears? Oh, they were flowing, honey.
So if you've ever wondered where my interior design obsession came from, or how I learned to mix texture with tenderness, color palettes with character, and antique pieces with a pinch of sass — this episode is it.
The Backstory: From Vintage Shops to Vision Boards
Before we dive into what happened during the visit, let’s rewind a bit.
Growing up, my mom was the original queen of curated corners. She didn’t just decorate — she styled. She knew how to turn a house into a home, using whatever she had. She could walk into a thrift store with $20 and walk out with enough vintage charm to redo the entire dining room.
I was her mini sidekick. While most kids were playing with dolls, I was rearranging furniture in my room (and the living room, and the kitchen…), using scarves as curtains, flipping throw pillows, and begging to paint walls. My earliest memories? Antique store runs, fabric swatches in my lunchbox, and getting into trouble for hanging “mood boards” on the fridge.
And then there’s my big brother. My partner-in-crime. The one who’d sneak me into school events and who now — full-grown and still protective as ever — walked into my home and said, “Wow. You really did this.”
That right there? My designer heart exploded.
The Home Tour — Family Style
This wasn’t just a typical design reveal. This was me letting my family walk through my world — the world I’ve created, one lamp, one floorboard, one accent wall at a time.
Here’s a little peek into what went down during our walk-through:
1. Mom's Reactions Were Everything
She gasped. She smiled. She instinctively fluffed a pillow.
From the entryway to the kitchen nook, she pointed out little details that reminded her of things I loved as a child. A woven basket? “You used to collect these when you were 10.” The bold wallpaper in the guest room? “You always loved patterns — remember your sticker wall phase?” 😂
She noticed every touch, every curated corner, every scent I’d diffused 15 minutes before their arrival (because you know I’m not letting guests walk into stale air).
But more than that, she got emotional — and so did I — because it hit us both: this wasn’t just a pretty home. It was a storybook of all the lessons, love, and legacy she gave me.
2. My Brother Had His Own Take
Let’s be real: big brothers don’t always go wild over curtains or pendant lighting. But mine? He showed up.
He pointed out which spaces felt the most “me” — like the bold living room statement wall and the curated bar area (because who doesn't need a stylish cocktail station?). He cracked jokes, teased me about my “need” for seven throw pillows on the bed, and then hit me with, “This feels like you always knew what you were doing.”
Cue: internal sobbing.
He also reminded me of the early days — the school projects I turned into full-blown design presentations, the way I’d sketch room layouts for fun, and how I once reorganized his room without asking. Oops.
But in that walk-through, I could see it in his eyes — he was proud. And that meant everything.
Behind the Design: More Than Just Pretty Things
When people see a beautiful space, they often only see the finished product — the clean lines, the cozy textures, the perfect natural light. But behind every room is a reason. And in this episode, I got to explain what inspired each space.
The living room was designed with hospitality in mind — a nod to my mom’s open-door energy.
The dining nook? Inspired by our family dinners, full of laughter, mismatched plates, and homemade meals.
The bedroom has soft, grounded tones — like the calm I’ve always craved after years of hustle.
Even the hallway gallery wall has family photos layered in — not just for style, but as anchors of who I am.
My favorite part? Watching them react. Seeing them in the space — not just as guests, but as the foundation behind every design choice I’ve made.
Reflections: Where Passion Meets Purpose
Here’s the truth, Roomies: I don’t just design for aesthetics. I design for meaning. For emotion. For the energy a space gives you when you walk in. For the way it feels when your loved ones sit down, breathe out, and say, “This feels like home.”
This episode reminded me that interior design isn’t just about the layout. It’s about legacy.
Every creative instinct I have was planted long ago — in my childhood bedroom, in family road trips to flea markets, in holiday dinners, in shared stories, in the love my family gave me long before I ever held a fabric swatch.
Episode Highlights You Don’t Want to Miss
My mom sharing the hilarious and sweet stories behind my early design obsessions (let’s just say my Barbie Dreamhouse didn’t stand a chance).
My brother reflecting on growing up with “the mini designer” of the house.
Their raw reactions to seeing my home for the first time.
Why every room has a deeper meaning — and how you can start thinking that way in your own space.
Pro Tip: Watch with tissues and a cozy blanket. The nostalgia hits hard.
Final Thoughts — and a Thank You
To everyone who’s followed my design journey, supported my vision, or ever asked “how did you get into this?” — this episode is for you.
It’s about the why. The who. The heart.
And I’m so grateful to share not just the rooms I’ve styled, but the people who helped me become the person and designer I am today.
Design is more than just beauty — it’s biography.
Watch the full video here and join us for the most heart-filled house tour yet:
https://youtu.be/qJ0rCUb_eMg?si=E2FsDurm4TwUE-ys
And as always, Roomies — keep styling with soul, designing with love, and living in spaces that tell your story.
xo, Roma
